Team NetApp-Endura’s David de la Cruz climbed to a strong second place in today’s queen stage of this year’s Tour of California. On the sixth stage, which led from Santa Clarita to Mountain High over 152 kilometers he was only defeated by Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEdge).

This is not only the biggest success of the 25-years-old Spaniard in his young carrier as pro rider, he also ensured the second podium for Team NetApp-Endura at the Tour of California. Last Tuesday Tiago Machado already finished in second place on Mount Diablo.

With Machado and de la Cruz, Team NetApp-Endura places two riders among the Top10 in the general classification before the final weekend.

“I am proud on the performance of the whole team. Throughout the tour they are showing that they are able to perform well in the most difficult stages. Again we were very close to a victory on a mountain finish and David surely would have deserved it. He did a great race,” says Alex Sans Vega, Sport Director Team NetApp-Endura in a first reaction after the stage.

“Now shortly after the finish we are here with mixed feelings because we all believed in a victory today. That we also loose the podium place in the general classification is a pity. We would have loved to enter the last stages with a victory or a podium place in the general classification,” he concludes.